How to 3D Print Glass-Like Parts With Your FDM Printer

January 17, 2019 How to 3D Print Glass-Like Parts With Your FDM Printer 47

Anyone who has bought "transparent" filament will confirm maker Gluck's feeling that the resulting prints are translucent at best. Rather than making do, Gluck decided to find the perfect print setting to create truly transparent prints.

The reason that most transparent filaments produce translucent prints isn’t necessarily due to being misled by the company as to the functionality of a filament but often because of 3D printer settings.

Gluck, a maker and author for website Fennec Labs, has been working on how to create transparent parts since buying a 3D printer. In a recent blog post, it’s explained that translucency and transparency are different due to a material’s tendency to diffuse light.

When printing with normal settings, small bubbles are left inside the print which acts as a lens and scatters light. Therefore, the resulting prints are translucent.

But, Gluck points out that plastic is “inherently transparent” and bubbles are the “only thing” stopping us from creating truly clear prints. The next step was to find a print setting to create parts which are truly transparent.

How to Create Transparent 3D Prints

If you want to create your own transparent prints, it’s well worth following Gluck’s lead and trying this process out for yourself. Firstly, Gluck outlines the basic settings on 3D slicing software Cura for a transparent print. They include:

  • Layer Height: 0.05 mm
  • Infill Density: 100%
  • Infill overlap percentage: 6%
  • Flow: 108%
  • Print Speed: 24 mm/s
  • Enable Print Cooling: OFF
  • Printing Temperature: 255 °C (on the highest end of the recommended range, using Prusa’s ABS). Adjust for PLA accordingly.
  • Build Plate Temperature: 100 °C
  • Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm

Gluck also explains that it’s essential to ensure the hotend is clean. This is because leftover material can damage a print’s “purity”. Next, after a first layer is complete, ensure the hotend is close to the build plate but not close enough to scratch it.

Gluck adds that this “sweet spot” on the Prusa MK3/2 is found by adjusting the “live Z” to “the point where the air gap between the tip of the hotend and the build plate just disappears. This rule of thumb ensures that the plastic is forced into any gaps between the first layer lines and the build plate.”

An over-extrusion will print a “plano-convex spherical lens” and the hotend will scrape the last layer, causing a chunk of excess material. But, Gluck explains that this can easily be removed with a knife after printing is complete.

Further post-processing steps include turning the rough printed surface into a smooth one. Gluck recommends using sandpaper ranging from 600 grit to 4000.

All of the prints produced by Gluck are “flat-bottomed” to avoid having to remove supports and to make sanding easier. The resulting lenses are “quite pleasing” if not good enough for imaging.

However, Gluck had some fun with the lenses, using them to focus light and developed lasers using a plano-convex cylindrical lens and a mount. The lasers are then held parallel to each other and the beams are focused into one spot.

Gluck came up with a second unique idea which was to place Mario and then a snowflake shape into a transparent cube, producing a laser-engraved result which isn’t perfect but works surprisingly well and looks cool.

 

47 Responses

  1. lasertest says:

    Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely
    long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any recommendations for rookie blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  2. I blog often and I truly appreciate your information. This great article has really peaked my interest.
    I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week.
    I subscribed to your Feed as well.

  3. Excellent write-up. I certainly love this website. Keep it up!

  4. I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!

  5. Amazing issues here. I am very glad to see your article.
    Thank you so much and I am looking ahead to contact you.
    Will you please drop me a mail?

  6. Hi there everyone, it’s my first go to see at this web page, and
    piece of writing is truly fruitful for me, keep up posting
    these types of posts.

  7. I’d like to find out more? I’d care to find out some
    additional information.

  8. This post is really a pleasant one it assists new the web people,
    who are wishing for blogging.

  9. This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
    Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
    it. Too cool!

  10. phyteney says:

    It’s hard to come by educated people about this subject, however,
    you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
    Thanks

  11. Excellent way of explaining, and fastidious post to take facts about my presentation subject, which i am going to present in university.

  12. Excellent article. I will be experiencing many
    of these issues as well..

  13. Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.

    I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to
    new posts.

  14. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our
    whole community will be thankful to you.

  15. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious
    what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a
    pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you

  16. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered
    It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute
    & assist other users like its helped me. Good job.

  17. I’ve been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found
    any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
    Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good
    content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  18. It is truly a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us.
    Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  19. This information is invaluable. Where can I find out more?

  20. startup says:

    Touche. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the amazing effort.

  21. sme says:

    Hello to every , for the reason that I am truly
    eager of reading this webpage’s post to be updated daily.
    It contains nice material.

  22. Akcja rozrywki toczy się w półświatku Fortune Valley.

  23. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most
    certainly donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
    my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk
    about this blog with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  24. I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this web page is actually fastidious.

  25. royal jelly says:

    You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the
    article you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such
    as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow
    your heart.

  26. Pokolenie IKEA docenia funkcjonalność ponad całość.

  27. You should take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs on the web.

    I am going to highly recommend this web site!

  28. msichat.De says:

    Takie też książki powędrowały dodatkowo zestawienia.

  29. cpm says:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups thanks once again.

  30. phyteney says:

    I like reading a post that can make men and women think.
    Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

  31. Hi, i believe that i saw you visited my web site so i came to return the
    desire?.I am attempting to to find issues to enhance my site!I guess its ok to make
    use of some of your ideas!!

  32. Hi there, I read your blogs on a regular basis.
    Your story-telling style is awesome, keep up
    the good work!

  33. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite
    justification seemed to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know about.

    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole
    thing without having side effect , people can take
    a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  34. Lukas says:

    Oto moje sprawdzone sposoby na podrywanie dziewczyn.

  35. Togel online says:

    If some one wishes expert view about blogging then i suggest him/her
    to go to see this webpage, Keep up the pleasant work.

  36. As a professional interior design firm in Dubai, we are constantly striving for perfection in our work.
    Jadis Interiors is premier interior design firm in Dubai.

    We’re identified for beautiful inside designs in Dubai, modern day furniture kinds
    & architectural masterpieces by Jadis Interiors.
    When it comes to Interior Design, Arnold Schulman is a seasoned
    veteran. Arnold has the distinctive potential to work with his clients to make any property specially their own. With 35
    years of experience as a licensed interior designer, Arnold has worked
    worldwide residential interior design and business interior
    design initiatives. As a younger company, NEN Singapore strives to offer clients and future clients an immeasurable customer
    service and an excellent high quality lead to each individual
    Interior Project entrusted to the company. Every undertaking is unique and the
    worth relies on how lengthy I’ll work in your venture.

    The price I offers you includes all the design service and also you will not be charged for additional
    charges for any additional emails, design critiques,
    reconsidering products chosen and extra. https://mebelson-market.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://inspacelocations.com

  37. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking
    at this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept talking about this. I am going to send this article to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a very good read.
    I appreciate you for sharing!

  38. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through
    some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  39. domino99 says:

    Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo
    News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
    Many thanks

  40. I like the helpful info you supply to your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and test once more here frequently.
    I’m slightly sure I will learn many new stuff right right here!
    Good luck for the following!

  41. eebest8 best says:

    “Really enjoyed this blog article. Cool.”

  42. This is the right blog for anybody who wishes to find out about this topic.

    You understand a whole lot its almost tough
    to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for years.
    Excellent stuff, just great!

  43. I really enjoy the blog article. Thanks Again. Cool.

  44. sims 4 apk says:

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on sims 4 apk. Regards

  45. With Cosmetic Programs, you control your training.

  46. Genuinely when someone doesn’t know then its up to other viewers that they will assist,
    so here it takes place.

  47. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic
    to be actually something which I think I would never
    understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *